Oil Pressure Drop

[alpha6]

Ok, so I have been running like crazy with work and have had no time to do anything but drive the jeep. First off, it is running great. Lots of power, on take off and I can run in 5th gear at 70MPH with no problems. Two things, I noticed: that my oil pressure is down about 2 to 3 lbs from what I call normal (about 20) and I notice I have a small oil leak. I haven't had time to track it down, but a quick look seems to show that it could be the back/passengers side corner of the valve cover. Could this be the cause of the drop in pressure (thinking it could but missed this lesson during my shade tree mechanic training) and can I just re-torque it or do I need to get a new valve gasket? I hope to have time to do some things this weekend...Allah willing.

 

[Torxhead]

By using a heavier grade of oil would help bump up the pressure a bit. The oem CJ gauges aren't known to be the best, so by checking the pressure with a mechanical gauge would give you a better indication. A lot of guys like the 15w-40 Rottella T for their older engines. The valve cover gasket needs to be replaced, this is done by cleaning all contact surfaces and applying a quality rtv sealer to both sides of the gasket, valve cover and head surfaces. It has been a long time my CJ has seen 70 mph.

 

[73CJ]

A leaky valve cover will not cause the pressure to drop. It is on the non-pressurized return side of the oil system.

 

[alpha6]

Well now I am starting to think it is just the sending unit going belly up as it now drops to zero when I shift to neutral at a light...then will jump up to pressure if I rev the engine or when I am giving it any gas. Freaked me out the first time it dropped to zero...

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Makes you look in the mirror for the puddle when that pressure drops to zero. As bad as mine was leaking, i thought the filter had a hole in it!

 

[pwhoojeep]

What is the normal idle warm engine oil pressure for a AMC 304 ?

 

[johnnyreb]

How many miles on the engine? When was your last oil change? Is the oil pump old, it could be pump wear. MY diesel drops oil psi when it needs an oil change. Sending unit would be my first thought. Mechanical gauge would rule that out.

 

[alpha6]

Just changed the oil less than 500 miles ago...looks clean and fresh. I am going to replace the sending unit...see if that takes care of the problem. I will pull it in the shop on Sat. and do some much needed tinkering...and inspecting. Just quiet time with my beast.

 

[johnnyreb]

Sounds like a plan to me. The PO of mine had already put a mech gauge in mine. Hopefully that fixes your problem. Tinking in the shop, makes me wish I had a shop I could get mine in. I have a rather drafty unheated barn to work on mine in.